What is the name of your state? - Maryland
I moved out in March because one of my roommates (the Landlord) asked me to pay half of the other roommate's rent. She told me to pay that amount in January, which was not my original agreement to begin with, so I did not pay and just paid my rent, and then I gave her 3 month notice of moving out.
A few weeks ago, the Landlord sent a message to two of us (myself and the other roommate (the Tenant A) who moved out in January) and stated I am not getting back the deposit and the other will get a full refund.
We lived in a house where the Landlord signed the lease contract by herself to rent this house because the Tenant A and I shared our potential move-out within a year and shared the reasons. My reason is that I can't pay the half of the other tenant's rent. Before we all moved in and the Landlord signed the contract, I asked her if she is sure to sign the contract by herself because of potential risks that she might face, but she said she would sublease or take someone else as a roommate. A few weeks after this conversation, she asked me and the Tenant A for deposit because the security deposit for the house was a lot of money for her, so each of the Tenant and I both contributed $1075 as a deposit with checks.
There is no written agreement, and all we have is text messages (3 month notices of moving out, etc.) and check of the deposit.
I am speaking up for my rights and asking for fairness because the Tenant A will receive a full refund though the Landlord is trying to keep my deposit. Tenant A and I both:
1) Shared our potential move within a year
2) had the same verbal agreement
3) gave the Landlord a notice of moving out 3 months ahead (text message)
I am considering taking this case to Small Court in the county. Is it worth it?
I moved out in March because one of my roommates (the Landlord) asked me to pay half of the other roommate's rent. She told me to pay that amount in January, which was not my original agreement to begin with, so I did not pay and just paid my rent, and then I gave her 3 month notice of moving out.
A few weeks ago, the Landlord sent a message to two of us (myself and the other roommate (the Tenant A) who moved out in January) and stated I am not getting back the deposit and the other will get a full refund.
We lived in a house where the Landlord signed the lease contract by herself to rent this house because the Tenant A and I shared our potential move-out within a year and shared the reasons. My reason is that I can't pay the half of the other tenant's rent. Before we all moved in and the Landlord signed the contract, I asked her if she is sure to sign the contract by herself because of potential risks that she might face, but she said she would sublease or take someone else as a roommate. A few weeks after this conversation, she asked me and the Tenant A for deposit because the security deposit for the house was a lot of money for her, so each of the Tenant and I both contributed $1075 as a deposit with checks.
There is no written agreement, and all we have is text messages (3 month notices of moving out, etc.) and check of the deposit.
I am speaking up for my rights and asking for fairness because the Tenant A will receive a full refund though the Landlord is trying to keep my deposit. Tenant A and I both:
1) Shared our potential move within a year
2) had the same verbal agreement
3) gave the Landlord a notice of moving out 3 months ahead (text message)
I am considering taking this case to Small Court in the county. Is it worth it?